Printing paper information reading apparatus

ABSTRACT

A printing paper information reading apparatus for accurately detecting cut marks 3a and reading information formed on printing paper 3. The apparatus includes a first mark detector 29a for detecting the cut marks 3a formed for frame images printed on the printing paper 3, respectively, a second mark detector 29b for detecting information marks 3c formed in the printing paper 3 in a corresponding relationship to the cut marks 3a, and a printing paper information generator 5g for generating printing paper information by evaluating results of detection of the information marks 3c by the second mark detector 29 in synchronism with detection of the cut marks 3a by the first mark detector 29a.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a printing paper information reading apparatusfor reading information represented by marks formed for each frame imageprinted on printing paper.

2. Description of the Related Art

A printing paper information reading apparatus as noted above is knownfrom Patent Publication Kokai No. H2-46451, for example. In thisapparatus, printing paper having frame images includes cut marks printedalong one of the opposite side edges of the paper to indicate positionsto be cut to produce prints of the respective images. Information in theform of binary data is recorded in selected positions of the printingpaper, which information is provided by a distribution of the cut marksto the opposite side edges to be detected by two optical sensors. Thus,the information in binary data is read while the printing paper is cut.

However, in this conventional printing paper information readingapparatus, the cut marks are detected by two optical sensors, i.e. afirst optical sensor for detecting the cut marks printed along one sideedge, and a second optical sensor for detecting the cut marks printedalong the other side edge. A discrepancy in assembled position ordetection characteristic between the two optical sensors would result ina displacement of cutting position for each print. In addition, the cutmarks having to be printed along the two separate edges are adisadvantage in accurate positioning of the cut marks. This also resultsin a displacement of cutting position for each print.

With the photographic processing apparatus operable at increasingly highspeed, printing paper transported at high speed must be cut with highprecision. In view of such requirement, it is necessary to remove, asfar as possible, instability factors of the conventional printing paperinformation reading apparatus relating to displacement of cuttingpositions for producing prints.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of this invention is to provide a printing paper informationreading apparatus which overcome the disadvantage of the prior art, andwhich is capable of detecting cut marks accurately and readinginformation recorded on printing paper.

The above object is fulfilled, according to this invention, by aprinting paper information reading apparatus comprising first markdetecting means for detecting cut marks formed for frame images printedon the printing paper, respectively, second mark detecting means fordetecting information marks formed in the printing paper in acorresponding relationship to the cut marks, and printing paperinformation generating means for generating printing paper informationby evaluating results of detection of the information marks by thesecond mark detecting means in synchronism with detection of the cutmarks by the first mark detecting means.

In the printing paper information reading apparatus having the aboveconstruction, all of the cut marks formed in the printing paper aredetected by the first mark detecting means, and all of the informationmarks formed in the printing paper are detected by the second markdetecting means. Information represented by a series of informationmarks is generated by evaluating results of detection of the informationmarks by the second mark detecting means in synchronism with detectionof the cut marks by the first mark detecting means. When the printingpaper is cut by using cut mark detection signals from the first markdetecting means, a reliable cut mark detection is achieved by the samemark detecting means to realize a high degree of cutting precision.Further, since the results of detection of the information marks areevaluated in synchronism with detection of the cut marks by the firstmark detecting means, this is carried out while accurately graspingtiming of occurrence of the information marks. This is advantageouswhere the printing paper includes frame images of ordinary size andpanorama size having varied lengths in a direction of transport.

Where the printing paper has printing paper information in the form of aseries of information marks arranged in a plurality of different areasin the direction of transport, it is necessary for the informationgenerating means to recognize a starting point of the series ofinformation marks. In one preferred embodiment of this invention, theprinting paper includes leading marks each indicating a starting pointof a series of the information marks. The information generation meanscan recognize a starting point of a series of information marks based ondetection of each leading mark. Information often used as the printingpaper information is an order number in the form of an ID code of eachorder area on the printing paper usually forming frame images of onenegative film. Taking this fact into account, in a preferred embodimentthis invention, the leading marks are order marks dividing the printingpaper into units of orders.

In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the order marks aredetected by the first mark detecting means. For this purpose, the ordermarks, preferably, are arranged in approximately the same positions asthe cut marks transversely of the direction of transport, so that thefirst mark detecting means detect the cut marks and order marks atpredetermined short intervals. Detection timing of the order marks neednot be so accurate as detection timing of the cut marks. Thus, the firstmark detecting means for detecting the cut marks may be used also fordetecting the order marks, thereby to simplify the apparatus.

As a different embodiment of this invention, the order marks may ofcourse be detected by the second mark detecting means. In this case, theorder marks are arranged in the same positions as the information markstransversely of the direction of transport, so that the second markdetecting means detect the order marks as well as the information marks.Where each order mark is set to lead the information marks, the firstdetection may be determined to correspond to the order mark, andsubsequent detections to the information marks. In this case also, theapparatus is simplified by using the second mark detecting means fordetecting the order marks and information marks.

Considering limited areas of printing paper other than the frame imageareas, and a space for arranging the first and second mark detectingmeans, it is preferable that the cut marks are formed along one sideedge of the printing paper while the information marks are formed alongthe other, opposite side edge of the printing paper.

Other features and the advantages of this invention will be apparentfrom the following description of the embodiments to be taken withreference to the drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a photographic processing apparatusemploying a printing paper information reading apparatus according tothis invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the photographic processing apparatusshowing flows of negative films and printing paper in the apparatus ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the photographic processing apparatus shownin FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a controller;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of a first and a second punches;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a first and a second mark detectors;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a conveyer mechanism forming a photographcollating system;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a tray;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an operation of the controller for detectingpunch holes;

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view of punched printing paper in a modifiedembodiment; and

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an operation of the controller for detectingpunch holes in the printing paper shown in FIG. 10.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows an entire photographic processing apparatus 1 having aprinting paper information reading apparatus according to thisinvention. FIG. 2 schematically shows transport paths of a negative film2 (the term negative film being used herein to refer collectively to anegative film having a length of one photographic film, cut piecenegatives each having several frames, and a negative film in a cartridgedesigned for an advanced photo system) and printing paper 3 undergoingvaried processes in the photographic processing apparatus 1. Thisphotographic processing apparatus 1 includes a negative film feeder 10,an exposing section 20 for printing images of the negative film 2 on theprinting paper 3 drawn from a paper magazine 4, a developing section 30for developing the exposed printing paper 3, a drying section 40 fordrying the developed printing paper 3, a print outlet 50 for cutting anddischarging the dried printing paper 3 in predetermined lengths asprints, a negative film outlet 60 for cutting and discharging thenegative film 2 used in the exposing section 20, with negative sheetsinserted as necessary, and a conveyer mechanism 70 for collating andcombining, as a finished product, the cut negative films 2 in one unit(which may be regarded as one order to facilitate understanding)received from the negative film outlet 60 and the prints in the one unitreceived from the print outlet 50, and transporting the finished productto a position for collection by the operator.

The negative film feeder 10 may be loaded with two negative reels 11each having up to 100 negative films 2 connected by splicing tape. Abar-code reader 12 reads film numbers and other information relating tophotographic processing from bar codes on the negative films 2 drawnfrom either negative reel 11. A negative cutter 13 cuts the negativefilms 2 order by order. An image sensor 14 for checking frame images onthe negative films 2.

As shown in FIG. 3 (in which the vertical arrangement of negative film 2and printing paper 3 is inverted from FIG. 2), the exposing section 20includes a film reader 21 disposed upstream with respect to a directionof film transport and having a reading light source 21a, a mirror tunnel21b and an image pickup 21c, and an exposing device 22 disposeddownstream with respect to the film transport direction and having anexposing light source 22a, a light adjustment filter 22b, a mirrortunnel 22c, a negative mask 22d, a printing lens 22e and a shutter 22f.Rollers 23a and a motor 23b for driving the rollers 23a are provided totransport the negative film 2 from the negative film feeder 10 throughthe exposing section 20 to the negative outlet 60.

First, the film reader 21 reads the image of each frame on the negativefilm 2 transported by the rollers 23a, and transmits image informationto a controller 5 which is illustrated in detail in the block diagram ofFIG. 4. From the image information received from the film reader 21, anexposure control unit 5a of the controller 5 derives exposing conditionsfor printing the images of the negative film 2 on the printing paper 3.The exposure control unit 5a controls the light adjustment filter 22band shutter 22f based on the exposing conditions derived to exposed theprinting paper 3 when the corresponding frame on the negative film 2arrives at the position of negative mask 22d. In addition, thecontroller 5 processes the image information of the negative film 2 readby the film reader 21, and causes a monitor 6a to display simulations ofimages to be printed on the printing paper 3 with the exposingconditions derived. The operator may observe the simulated imagesdisplayed on the monitor 6a, and correct the exposing conditions througha control panel 6b as necessary.

The negative film 2 emerging from the exposing section 20 is cut to aplurality of negative pieces 2 each having six or four frames by anegative cutter 25 in the negative outlet 60 disposed downstream of theexposing device 22 with respect to the film transport direction. Thenegative pieces 2 are delivered to the conveyer mechanism 70. Dependingon specifications, the negative pieces 2 may be inserted into negativesheets by a negative inserter not shown, the negative sheets beingfolded before delivery to the conveyer mechanism 70. The negative film 2designed for an advanced photo system is drawn out of the cartridgebefore the varied processes, and rewound into the cartridge again afterthe processes. This type of negative film 2 after the exposing processis delivered to the conveyer mechanism 70 as contained in the cartridge.The negative film 2 is drawn from the negative reel 11 and ultimatelytransported to the conveyer mechanism 70 under control of a negativefilm transport control unit 5b of the controller 5.

The printing paper 3, with the images of the negative film 2 printedthereon in the exposing section 20, is transported by rollers 24a and amotor 24b for driving the rollers 24a, through a first punch 28a and asecond punch 28b acting as a mark forming device for forming punch holesin the printing paper, and a correction print unit 26, and successivelythrough developing tanks in the developing section 30 to be developed.The developed printing paper 3 is dried in the drying section 40,transported through a printing paper information reader 200, cut by apaper cutter 51 to become prints 3, and passed on to a transverseconveyer 53 driven by a motor 54a. A cutter 27 is disposed upstream ofthe developing section 30 for cutting the printing paper 3 in anemergency, e.g. when the printing paper 3 cannot be fed continuouslyfrom the exposing section 20 to the developing section 30 despite thepresence of a loop. The series of operations for transporting theprinting paper 3 drawn from the paper magazine 4, through the developingsection 30, drying section 40 and transverse conveyer 54 to the conveyermechanism 70 is controlled by a paper transport control unit 5c of thecontroller 5. The construction and operation of the conveyer mechanism70 will be described in detail later, and the control thereof iseffected by a conveyer control unit 5d of the controller 5.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first punch 28a and second punch 28b are opposedto each other across the printing paper 3. The first punch 28a formspunch holes representing cut marks 3a and order marks 3b along one sideedge of printing paper 3. The second punch 28b forms punch holesrepresenting information marks 3c along the other side edge of printingpaper 3. The punches 28a and 28b have a known construction per se toform the punch holes in the printing paper 3 on instructions from apunch control unit 5e of the controller 5. The punch control unit 5edetermines timing of the center of each blank 3d between the frame imageof printing paper 3 passing through the first punch 28a, from size dataof the frame images printed on the printing paper 3 and transport dataof the printing paper 3, and instructs the first punch 28a to form thecut marks 3a. Further the punch control unit 5e instructs the firstpunch 28a to form an order mark 3b when the first image frame in eachorder passes through the first punch 28a, in the blank 3d immediatelypreceding the first image frame and in a position slightly forward ofwhere a cut mark is to be formed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, theorder mark 3b and cut mark 3a are arranged with a slight spacetherebetween.

In addition, the punch control unit 5e causes the second punch 28b toapply the information marks 3c to six edge positions opposed to therespective cut marks 3a, starting with an edge position opposed to thecut mark 3a arranged with the order mark 3b, thereby recordinginformation in six bits. Where a punch hole is formed by the secondpunch 28b, information mark 3c is regarded as "1". Where no punch holeis not formed, information mark 3c is regarded as "0". In FIG. 5, forexample, information marks 3c are arranged in the order of "1", "0","0", "1", "0" and "1" in the direction of transport, which represent abinary number 100101 (or a decimal number 37). In this embodiment, theseinformation marks 3c indicates an order number. When order numberssuccessively generated by the controller 5 are applied to the punchcontrol unit 5e, the punch control unit 5e gives instructions to thesecond punch 28b to form information marks 3c corresponding to the ordernumbers.

As shown in FIG. 6, upstream of the paper cutter 51 with respect to thedirection of transport are a first optical sensor 29a and a secondoptical sensor 29b are opposed to each other across the printing paper3. The first optical sensor 29a acts as a first mark detecting devicefor detecting the cut marks 3a and order marks 3b. The second opticalsensor 29b acts as a second mark detecting device for detecting theinformation marks 3c. The first sensor 29a and second sensor 29btransmits detection signals to the controller 5 for use in controllingoperation of a motor 61a for driving the paper cutter 51, in detectingorder changes for controlling the conveyer mechanism, and in detectingthe order numbers. In particular, detection signals of the cut marks 3aare used by a paper cutter control unit 5f of the controller 5,detection signals of the order marks 3b by the conveyer control unit 5d,and detection signals of the cut marks 3a, order marks 3b andinformation marks 3c by a printing paper information generating means5g. Each order number read is used in an operation for collating thenegative film 2 and prints 3. In this embodiment, the printing paperinformation reader 200 basically is formed of the first sensor 29a, thesecond sensor 29b, and the printing paper information generation means5g, in particular, of the controller 5.

As shown in FIG. 7, the conveyer mechanism 70 is the tray conveyer typeincluding a plurality of trays 100 driven by a drive device 90 to movealong a guide circuit 80. A transport line provided by the guide circuit80 includes a negative film intake station 71 for receiving negativefilms 2 from the negative film outlet 60 disposed in a lower position ofthe photographic processing apparatus 1, a standby station 72, a printintake station 73 for receiving prints 3 from the print outlet 50disposed in an upper position of the photographic processing apparatus1, and a collating station 74 for collating the negative films 2 andprints 3 in each order.

The guide circuit 80 is formed of a pair of right and left rails havingan approximately circular section and a connector interconnecting therails with a predetermined spacing therebetween. Each tray 100 includesa running device 110 for running on the rails, and a carrier 150 mountedon the running device 110. As shown in FIG. 8, the carrier 150 has afilm holder 150a and a print holder 150b.

The trays 100 are transported by the drive device 90 which is the chaindrive type employing chains 91 as endless drive elements. As seen fromFIG. 7, the drive device 90 is divided into a first to a sixth driveunits 90a-90f. The first drive unit 90a extends between the collatingstation 74 and standby station 72. The second drive unit 90b is arrangedto move emptied trays 100 to a tray stopping position in the negativeintake station 72. The third drive unit 90c is arranged to move thetrays 100 loaded with the negative films 2 to a storage line at thestandby station 72 defined partly by the first drive unit 90a. Thefourth drive unit 90d is arranged to move the trays 100 stored in thestandby station 72 successively to a tray stopping position in the printintake station 73. The fourth drive unit 90d moves the trays 100 up asteep slope. The fifth drive unit 90e moves the trays 100 additionallyloaded with prints 3 down a steep slope to a portion of the first driveunit 90a forming the collating station 74. Since the guide circuit 80 iscurved upstream of the collating station 74, the sixth drive unit 90f isdisposed between the fifth drive unit 90e and the first drive unit 90ato move the trays 100 along the curved line. Each of the above driveunits includes a chain 91, a drive sprocket 92 and direction changingsprockets 93 engaging the chain 91, and a drive motor 94 for driving thedrive sprocket 92. The first, second, third and sixth drive units 90a,90b, 90c and 90f receive power from a common drive motor 94. The fourthand fifth drive units 90d and 90e must operate intermittently in a timedway, and therefore receive power from individual drive motors 94,respectively. Each chain 91 includes pulling link plates defininghitches arranged at predetermined intervals and extending axially of therollers. Each, chain 91 moves the trays 100 by means of these hitches.The drive motors 94 are controlled by the conveyer control unit 5d ofthe controller 5 in a coordinated way.

An operation of the paper cutter 51, detection of order changes andreading of order numbers will be described with reference to theflowchart shown in FIG. 9. These operations are based on the detectionof punch holes 3a, 3b and 3c by the first sensor 29a and second sensor29b.

When this routine is started, "0" is set to a bit generation flagindicating generation of order numbers. First, the operation waits forthe first sensor 29a to detect a cut mark 3a in the form of a punch hole(#10). When a cut mark 3a is detected, the paper cutter control unit 5fis prompted to operate the paper cutter 51 (#12), and a timer is startedat the same time (#14). Further, checking is made whether the firstcensor 29a has detected a punch hole again, i.e. an order mark 3b (#16).If the result is "No", checking is made whether time t measured by thetimer has passed a predetermined time T (#18). Unless the predeterminedtime T is passed, the operation waits for the first sensor 29a to detecta next punch hole, i.e. an order mark 3b. This predetermined time T isset as a time required for the first sensor 29a to detect an order mark3b after detection of a cut mark 3a. That is, if the first sensor 29adetects two punch holes within the predetermined time T, it means thatan order mark 3b and a cut mark 3a are detected. A confirmation isthereby made that the orders are changed and the information marksrepresenting an order number start at this blank 3d. Thus, if the firstsensor 29a detects a next punch hole, i.e. an order mark 3b, within thepredetermined time T (#16), the controller 5 is requested to execute aprocess based on an order change (#20), and "1" is set to the bitgeneration flag indicating generation of an order number (#22). Further,"1" is substituted for variable: n as initialization of order numbergeneration (#24). The variable: n shows a bit position in the 6-bitorder number generated. Step #26 is executed to check whether "1" is setto the bit generation flag, i.e. whether an order number is beinggenerated or not. If the result is "Yes", checking is made whether thesecond sensor 29b is detecting information marks 3c (#28). If a punchhole 3b (or information mark 3c) is detected, it is determined thatn-bit position is "1" in the binary number (#30). If a punch hole 3b (orinformation mark 3c) is not detected, it is determined that n-bitposition is "0" in the binary number (#32). In any case, when the valueof n-bit position has been determined, the variable: n is incremented(#34), and it is checked if the new variable value exceeds 6 (#36). Ifthe new variable value has not reached 6, the operation returns to step#10 for reading of a next value of bit position. The new variable valuereaching 6 indicates that an order number has been generated. The ordernumber obtained, which is expressed by a 6-bit binary number, isforwarded to a work area of the controller (#38), to be linked to the IDcode of negative film 2 and the ID code of a tray 100, or to access alink table linking these ID codes in order to check a state ofcollation. When an order number has been generated, "0" is set to thebit generation flag (#40), and the operation returns to step #10 forreading of a next order number. When "No" results from step #26, thisindicates merely an instruction to cut the paper, and so the operationreturns to step #10.

In the above embodiment, the order marks 3b are formed along the sideedge where the cut marks 3a are formed. It is possible to form the ordermarks 3b along the same side edge where the information mark 3c areformed, In the arrangement of the respective marks 3a, 3b and 3c, thecut marks are formed along one side edge of printing paper 3, while theorder marks 3b and information marks 3c are formed along the other sideedge of printing paper 3. In this arrangement, each order mark 3b isused as a leading mark, and the six succeeding blanks 3d are used forinformation marks 3c. In other words, the information marks 3c start atthe blank between the first frame image and the next frame image in anew order. An operation of the paper cutter 51, detection of orderchanges and reading of order numbers will be described in relation tothe printing paper 3 having the above arrangement, with reference to theflowchart shown in FIG. 11. Here again, these operations are based onthe detection of punch holes 3a, 3b and 3c by the first sensor 29a andsecond sensor 29b.

When this routine is started, "0" is set to the bit generation flagindicating generation of order numbers. First, the operation waits forthe first sensor 29a to detect a cut mark 3a (#50). When a cut mark 3ais detected, the paper cutter control unit 5f is prompted to operate thepaper cutter 51 (#52). Checking is made whether "1" is set to the bitgeneration flag, i.e. whether an order number is being generated or not(#54). Since "0" is set at first, the result is "No", and checking ismade whether the second sensor 29b is detecting an order mark 3b (#56).If an order mark 3b is detected, the controller 5 is requested toexecute a process based on an order change (#58), and "1" is set to thebit generation flag indicating generation of an order number (#60).Further, "1" is substituted for variable: n (#62). If an order mark 3bis not detected at step #56, this indicates merely an instruction to cutthe paper, and so the operation returns to step #50. If it is found atstep #54 that "1" has been set to the bit generation flag, i.e. an ordernumber is being generated, checking is made whether the second sensor29b is detecting information marks 3c (#64). If a punch hole 3b (orinformation mark 3c) is detected, it is determined that n-bit positionis "1" in the binary number (#66). If a punch hole 3b (or informationmark 3c) is not detected, it is determined that n-bit position is "0" inthe binary number (#68). In any case, when the value of n-bit positionhas been determined, the variable: n is incremented (#70), and it ischecked if the new variable value exceeds 6 (#72). If the new variablevalue has not reached 6, the operation returns to step #50 for readingof a next value of bit position. The new variable value reaching 6indicates that an order number has been generated. The order numberobtained, which is expressed by a 6-bit binary number, is forwarded tothe work area of the controller (#74). Since an order number has beengenerated, "0" is set to the bit generation flag (#76), and theoperation returns to step #50 for reading of a next order number.

In the foregoing embodiments, the number of frame images in one unit orin one order (more precisely the number of blanks 3d) must exceed whatis needed for the information marks. Since the order numbers are inserial numbers, when one order includes an insufficient number of frameimages, the information marks for that order may be disregarded, and anorder number may be determined from the order number based on precedinginformation marks and that based on succeeding information marks.

In the foregoing embodiments, the cut marks 3a and information marks 3care arranged along the opposite side edges of printing paper 3. All ofthese marks may be arranged along one side edge if the questions ofspace and detection are cleared. The marks may be in the form of notchesor printed marks instead of being punch holes.

What is claimed is:
 1. A printing paper information reading apparatusfor reading information represented by marks formed for each frame imageprinted on printing paper, comprising:first mark detecting means fordetecting cut marks formed in said printing paper, said cut marks beingformed at identical portions of the respective frame images in a widthdirection of the printing paper; order mark detecting means fordetecting order marks formed in said printing paper separately from saidcut marks; second mark detecting means for detecting information marksformed in said printing paper in a corresponding relationship to saidcut marks, said information marks being formed separately from said cutmarks and said order marks, said information marks indicting ordernumbers respectively; and printing paper information generating meansfor generating paining paper information by evaluation results ofdetection by said information marks by said second mark detecting meansin synchronism with detection of said cut marks by said first detectingmeans.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each said cut markis formed along one side edge of the printing paper; each saidinformation mark is formed along the other side edge of the printingpaper; and said order mark is formed along said one side edge of theprinting paper with a slight space from said cut mark.
 3. The apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein said first mark detecting means is alsosaid order mark detecting means.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 1,wherein said first mark detecting means and said second mark detectingmeans are disposed in opposition to each other across said printingpaper.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said information markscomprise at least six bits of information provided over a predeterminednumber of image frames included in one order; and said printing paperinformation generating means determines the order number of an order notincluding said predetermined number of image frames based on theinformation marks provided for the image frames or orders adjacentthereto.
 6. A printing paper information reading apparatus for readinginformation represented by marks formed for each frame image printed onprinting paper, comprising:first mark detecting means for detecting cutmarks formed in said printing paper, said cut marks being formed atidentical portions of the respective frame images in a width directionof the printing paper; second mark detecting means for detectinginformation marks formed in said printing paper in a correspondingrelationship to and separately from said cut marks, said informationmarks indicating order numbers respectively; and printing paperinformation generating means for generating printing paper informationby evaluating results of detection by said information marks by saidsecond mark detecting means in synchronism with detection of said cutmarks by said first detecting means; wherein said information markscomprise at least six bits of information provided over a predeterminednumber of image frames included in one order; and said printing paperinformation generating means determines the order number of an order notincluding said predetermined number of image frames based on theinformation marks provided for the image frames of orders adjacentthereto.